--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The mental disease of the present…" description: "\"The mental disease of the present generation is impatience of study, contempt of the great masters of ancient wisdom, and a disposition to rely wholly ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/samuel-johnson-50_ancient_the-mental-disease-of-the-present-genera_1918865.png" --- # The mental disease of the present generation is impatience… ![“The mental disease of the present generation is impatience of study, contempt of the great masters of ancient wisdom, and a disposition to rely wholly upon unassisted genius and natural sagacity.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/samuel-johnson-50_ancient_the-mental-disease-of-the-present-genera_1918865.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/samuel-johnson-50_ancient_the-mental-disease-of-the-present-genera_1918865.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/samuel-johnson-50_ancient_the-mental-disease-of-the-present-genera_1918865.png) > “The mental disease of the present generation is impatience of study, contempt of the great masters of ancient wisdom, and a disposition to rely wholly upon unassisted genius and natural sagacity.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern impatience and disdain for tradition undermine deep learning; reliance on innate genius is insufficient. **In simple terms:** People today are impatient and ignore ancient wisdom. Key Takeaway Cultivate patience and respect for historical knowledge. Themes education patience tradition Mood reflective serious Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - academic settings - self‑study - career development Key Concepts cognitive development historical literacy critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What ancient teachings could benefit modern life? - How can you balance intuition with disciplined study? A Different Perspective Instant information can seem to replace deep study. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) [Ancient wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-wisdom/) [Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/) [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius/) [Impatience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impatience/) [Mental Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-disease/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Sagacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sagacity/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [The mental disease of the present generation is impatience of study, contempt of the great masters of ancient wisdom, and a disposition to rely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-mental-disease-of-the-present-generation-is-impatience-of-study-2/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Criticism, though dignified from the earliest ages by the labours of men eminent for knowledge and sagacity, has not yet attained the certainty and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/criticism-though-dignified-from-the-earliest-ages-by-the-labours-of/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [ The very term \['mental disease'\] is nonsensical, a semantic mistake. 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Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Modern historians have suggested that in his last years he (Richard II) was overtaken by mental disease, but that is only a modern view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-tuchman/modern-historians-have-suggested-that-in-his-last-years-he-richard-ii/) [Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-tuchman/) > [Love: a grave mental disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/love-a-grave-mental-disease/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Why, when you have a mental disease, is it always considered an act of imagination? Why is it that every organ in your body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-wax/why-when-you-have-a-mental-disease-is-it-always-considered-an-act-of/) [Ruby Wax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-wax/) > [“10. Idealism is a Potent Medicine for Self-created Mental Disease. 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